25th Anniversary show for The Comedy Store Players

Last night was the 25^th Anniversary show for The Comedy Store Players, held at The Comedy Store, London.  For many this will have passed pretty much unnoticed, for others it has been one of the events we’ve been waiting for all year.  It did not disappoint, but then in the eleven years I have been going, I can only think of one show where even the slightest hint of disappointment crept in, and that was nothing to do with the Players.

For those who aren’t aware, The Comedy Store Players are a group of talented people who play together twice a week to an audience of 400 in a slightly dingy basement club, or to give them actual names, they are Jim Sweeney, Lee Simpson, Andy Smart, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, Paul Merton and Josie Lawrence.

I still remember the first time I went to the Store to see the Players.  It was a Wednesday in March of 1999.  I’d moved to London in the January, and couldn’t believe it when I was told that the people who used to be on Whose Line Is It Anyway? performed live and for a mere £10.  I was an avid WLIIA fan from my teens.  If I wasn’t in watching it on a Friday night, then I religiously recorded it and watched it either after getting in, or on the Saturday morning.  In fact, I still have a tape of it, lovingly cherished, despite the fact that all the old episodes can now be found on 4oD.  I can’t possibly throw that tape away.

My then boyfriend and I were sat four rows back, in front of the sound booth – one of only two times I have not sat on the front row – and to say I was thrilled was an understatement.  It was this first visit that introduced me to “Store Time” – those who go will know what I mean by that.  The Comedy Store is the only place I know that can fit THREE songs into 5 minutes…three FULL songs I should point out.

The Players came out.  Jim and Richard were the most instantly familiar, the rest were Lee, Andy, and Neil, however the sixth escapes me…I think it was a guest, possibly Steve Steen.  I felt like I was going to jump out of my seat with excitement.  Lee did the introductions, with people all around me shouting out suggestions when prompted – OMG that REALLY happened – and then the very strange occurred…Richard spoke!  I don’t think I’d ever heard him speak before, never on WLIIA as I recall.  And you know what…he was damned funny! 

Two hours passed far too quickly.  I ached from laughing so hard. 

It was a few months before I went again.  It was the following year I began going weekly.  Within six months of that I was going twice a week, usually on my own.  I was officially hooked.

You see, that’s the thing about seeing the Players, you could (and still can) go on your own to see the show.  I used to take a book with me, read for the hour and half before the show started.  Once you are laughing, no-one knows you are on your own and to be honest, you no longer are. 

Obviously going that often you would see familiar faces amongst the audience.  Other people who loved them so much that they too would bring a book and be on their own.  It might sound kind of sad, but really, it never felt like it.  The Store became my home from home.  I always knew that if I’d had a bad day that a show was never more than three days away and I would be laughing and going home feeling good.

It was around this time that I first spoke to the Players.  I had followed (some would say stalked but I prefer the term followed) them down to the Tom Cribb – it wasn’t difficult as Steve Frost was guesting and had a very very yellow coat on.  I decided “what the hell” and went on in.  It was very much a “fan girl squeeeee” first contact as I approached Lee and asked him to sign my ticket.  When asked what should he write, I joked “that he loved me and couldn’t live without me”…to my surprise that’s what he wrote, I garbled something completely stupid to him (something that hasn’t changed years on), thanked him, and hid with a huge smile on my face.  I still have that ticket.  It then became the norm to head down to the pub afterwards and over some weeks got chatting to Players and guests alike.  For much of the time my head couldn’t comprehend that I was having drinks with the gents that I had spent hours and hours watching on my little TV in my bedroom as a teen…look, I might as well come clean now…I’m a Gag Hag…and I’m proud of it.  Nine times out of ten I would rather have the pleasure of seeing a comedian than a musician.  The Players are my Beatles.

Before long the inevitable happened, and those other audience members who went so often eventually got around to talking to one another.  The first that I spoke to is a wonderfully nutty woman called Lynn who has been going to see the Players for longer than anyone I know.  Then she introduced me to “book girl” Zelah.  A bubbly Yorkshire lass (Lisa) was picked up quite by accident on a visit by her to London (oh the many many times of “are you pissed? Cos I am” being uttered by her to me…ALWAYS at a quiet point).  Jonathan, Lizzlie and others soon followed…and then The Wall was born.

The Wall was a (tbh quite basic) forum on the Players website, ran and created by the wonderful Henry (who I had the pleasure of meeting on an extended holiday in LA) and overseen by Mr Sweeney.  “Play Nicely” was the basic rule.  The Wall brought the community of Players lovers together, both virtually and in real life.  Thanks to this I have met the very lovely Noriko from Japan, the perfect gent that is Bo from the USA.  So many of our cousins across the water have become lifelong friends…Meg, Betty, Earle, Cindy, Vickie, Leann.  Vickie is the only one I’ve never had the chance to meet – but I don’t say it’ll never happen…Meg is like my sister, with Betty and Earle my adoptive American parents.  Those of us in the UK found many friends in each other.

Through the Players and The Wall, we’ve seen fun times and bad times, there have been fall outs and make ups, births and marriages, thankfully we’ve not lost one of our own although have been there for when our own have lost someone close to them.  So many nights out, both at the Store and at other places…so many stories of broken shoes, pants as hats, “Run, Jonathan, RUN!!!”.  Sometimes I think we forget that.  Through the pettiness that has sometimes arisen, we forget that we were only ever all there because we loved and appreciated the Players so much.

Of course, over time, new people arrive.  We are slowly being replaced by younger and firmer frippets (that includes you, Chris! Possibly one of the most dedicated followers of the Players I have met), as we once replaced slightly saggy older fanatics; well we have now become them.  In the last week I had the pleasure of meeting Kat and Pip – two of the new breed, and lovely they are…but damn it I’M FUNNY ME!  (note to self: if I’m going to drink an embarrass myself, drink more so I forget what I actually do/say)

The love for the Players hasn’t gone away, it’s just life got in the way.  No longer can I go twice a week…believe me, I probably would if I could, but, you know, the little lady has Rainbows on a Wednesday and it’s a little harsh if I abandon the family EVERY Sunday.  Now it’s a treat…and maybe I love it even more now that it is just that.  I no longer know the play list from 1830-2000 (oh yes, I used to and daresay that some of those who still go do so now!).  I no longer know who is on when without having to look it up.  I do miss it.  I miss seeing them all.  I miss the giggles with the group of good friends as we’re waiting for the show to start.  However every now and then I get to go back and do it all again.

So to the Players, I thank you.  I thank you so very much for the number of times I thought I wouldn’t be able to draw breath normally because I was laughing so hard…I thank you for letting me discover just how much Bacardi and diet coke burns the inside of your nose if you laugh whilst trying to take a drink…I thank you for the conversations and the hugs and accepting apologies.  I thank you for putting up with me for so very long.

The Players are so many things…there is the one who you want the night out with, the one you want to have deep conversations, the one that you were never quite sure of until one day something clicked, the one you wanted to be, the one that you never quite figure out, the one you will always be in awe of and the one you will always love.  Of course I won’t say which one is which, and to be honest some could be applied to more than one of the Players.  Should any of them actually read this…if you think it’s you that I’ve described, then it probably is, argue amongst yourselves as to who I wanted to be ;-)

Of course, I (and I’m not alone) miss Jim being with the Players.  No-one ever will be as quick witted as Mr Sweeney.  It was more than ever so slightly sad he was missing last night – I vote for a video link up, just for one last game.  Mostly I just missed not being able to harass him post show.

So this morning I wake up still smiling from last night…and thankfully without the hangover I had after the 20^th Anniversary show and party.  I leave you with one request; if you have never been then go and see The Comedy Store Players, even just the once (which it won’t be) or if you haven’t been for a while, go back and visit, remind yourself why you like them so damned much.  Here’s to the next 25 years!

(I leave you with memories from the 20th anniversary)

 

Four go to an AniFest

On Saturday I found myself at the Canterbury Animation Festival, with my husband, my six year old daughter, Claudia, and my good friend, Scott.

Canterbury AniFest was held at Canterbury Christ Church University’s new Augustine House.  The aim was to celebrate animation in the south east area and was organized by Dan Richards of Animate & Create…who just happened to be an ex-student of Scott (who works at the University)…which meant that just before I clicked “buy” on the all day passes I was informed we were getting freebies (WOOT!).

We got there a little late, so sadly missed the beginning of the Wallace & Gromit talk, but thankfully that too had started late, so we got to see and hear quite a lot of it.  The talk was given by Jim Parkyn, who spent the whole time holding Wallace, whilst Gromit and the Were rabbit were prominently displayed on a table.  The talk was very interesting taking us through many of the techniques, followed by a Q&A session afterwards.  I got to chat with Jim later in the day, terribly lovely and seemingly quiet chap.

Claudia then made a clay (plasticine) slug in a mini-workshop and played with it using some animation software developed by a chap who was basically there touting it (which worked – we now have it! Zu3D software for the record).

Next was a screening of The Gruffalo (the book being a favourite of both Claudia and her Daddy).  The Assistant Producer, Daryl Shute, held a Q&A after the film.  The little lady patiently waited her turn with her little arm up in the air…only for Daryl to answer her question before she could ask it.  Regardless, she carried on, and when handed the mic she asked “Are you going to do The Gruffalo’s Child?” – Yes is the answer…AND Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book which is THE absolute favourite of the pair of them!

A quick break and headed into Canterbury for some lunch, then back to the hall for Children of Small Films.  This was a discussion then Q&A session hosted by Martin Goodsmith, and featured some of the children of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin (Emily & Charlotte Firmin with Dan & Stephen Postgate).

I am not ashamed to say that as they walked down the aisle and I caught sight of Emily (as in THE Emily from Bagpuss) walking down with a sweet smile on her face, in her hands was a wicker basket, my emotions got the better of me and my eyes welled up.  I swear I saw the little girl Emily walking down…a childhood memory being brought so vividly to life right there in front of me!  May sound such a small thing for others to read, but it quite unexpectedly caught me.  The basket was covered by a cloth, for a moment I wondered what broken something had she brought for us all to see that would somehow be fixed in front of our very eyes…but then I caught sight of a flash of pink fur…could it be? Could there be Bagpuss in the basket???

As the talk went on, The Witch from The Pogles was brought from the basket, with tales of her having hung in the barn/studio.  The Witch was banned from the Beeb due to being far too scary for children.  Auntie Clanger was next to come from the basket, along with tales of Clanger whistle conversations (the entire script having been written out) and of stolen or moth eaten Clangers.  Then from out of the basket, Emily brings out Bagpuss.  THE Bagpuss.  The Bagpuss of my childhood, who I have loved for over 30 years.  The most important, beautiful and magical Bagpuss who was very much a saggy old cloth cat…they played the opening credits…I couldn’t help (nor could many others) repeat with them.

Q&A time came again, and Claudia asked if “she could ask any question that she liked?” I said yes, as long as it was relevant to the talk, and so up went her little arm once again…holding it up for ages, doing that little girl stretch where you are not quite standing but not sitting down any more.  Then the mic was brought to her once again and she asked “How soft is Bagpuss?” – fecking genius question! Why? Because Emily asked her if she wanted to find out…and so my six year old walks up to the stage and is handed Bagpuss.  I’m full of both pride and jealousy, but mostly pride…but hey, what I wouldn’t have given to have held Bagpuss as a six year old…and man, she gave that fat furry cat-puss the biggest hug ever before answering that he was “very very soft indeed”.

Competition Films – Awards and Prizes were next.  We watched 11 short animated films and were to vote for the Audience Choice – something the four of us all disagreed on.  Perhaps the most surprising choice was Claudia’s, choosing a frankly slightly disturbing animation called Gorge (however the synopsis states the film was about inspiration…maybe it took the eyes of a six year old to see that?)  We all agreed we loved both An Audience With (took two prizes including the Audience Choice) and Polished Off…I also threw The Eagleman Stag into the mix as it was wonderfully animated IMO.

Another walk into Canterbury, this time for some Wagamamas for dinner – MAJOR NOM!

Back at the venue for the final part of the day…settling down to watch some good old Warner Bros and MGM cartoons with the fantastic Phill Jupitus (wearing fetching red and white striped PJs) and Emma Kennedy (in an equally fetching Bugs Bunny outfit). 

We ended up having some Postgate grandchildren sat behind and to the side of us, chatting away with them and giggling pre show – which was slightly surreal but oddly normal.

Watching some absolute classic cartoons, laughing out loud with the whole audience…finally managing to do something I’ve yet to do which was introduce the little lady to them (I’m a HUGE WB fan!).  I’ve done my best to ensure she’s watched the likes of Bod, Bagpuss etc with the latest being Mr Benn.  I’m not dismissing today’s kids programmes, some are completely brilliant, but there is something about the innocence of these programmes without the overt babiness of things like The Fimbles (when she was much younger) or the precociousness of many others now she is older.  She is now a convert…dvd hunts are under way!

Claudia got to sit with Phill and Emma for a photograph, before having the Bugs head popped on.  She was then instructed that surely a Bugs Bunny outfit should go on to her Christmas list…and guess what…it had! Thanks Phill & Emma!!!

The cartoons were going to continue into the night, and much as the little lady insisted she wanted to stay, she’d been getting restless and it was way past her bedtime. TBH she’d done very well, we’d been there for 11 hours and her interest had mostly been kept.  So with sadness we had to miss the final cartoons (but not before I got Scott to check whether there was a Wile E Coyote making the list…there wasn’t…I was disappointed).

Sunday afternoon, the meester popped online and bought the Zu3D software, before nipping out to buy a new Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD camera…the next hour and a half was filled with concentration from Claudia with a little help from Daddy.  So may I introduce to you her first ever animation short…Lewis the Magic Slug – enjoy!

And so I find myself at Fat Club

Long story short to bring you up to speed:

Basically for various reasons including pregnancy, stopping smoking and general laziness from having the mindset that I'd "done my dues to sport" I find myself overweight with high blood pressure and am undergoing tests to find out why (the HBP).  One of the things my Doctor wanted is for me to join Fat Club...so I started this week.

Now, although somewhere between a 14 and an 18 (shop dependant) I am a LOT heavier than I actually look...even when I was a size 10 I still weighed in at 10 1/2 stone...so you may get the idea.

Seven weeks ago I started swimming regularly (3-5 times a weeks) and about 3 weeks ago started back at the gym (so far about 3 times a week).  In this time I have lost half a stone.

So now you are up to speed...let me tell you about Fat Club...

As I sat in the waiting room I looked around and feared for my safety...I was (as predicted) the slimmest person at Fat Club...not necessarily the lightest, be definitely the slimmest.  I could see them looking at me wondering why I was there.  One woman, let's call her Mooseknuckle, looked like she might eat me if she could actually move with any speed.

We were led into a small room, where three men and eight woman of varying ages and sizes were to be lectured by a very slim Greek dietitian (lets call her Nana although her real name is just fabulous!).  It starts off easy enough with chatting in small groups introducing yourselves, before doing so to the whole group.  This proved far too much for one of the chaps (ironically the largest person at the group) who waddled out of the room, never to return!

Two hours did pass quite quickly, sadly with me learning nothing I didn't already know (my size now betraying the many many years of sport, healthy eating and training).  Nana seemed a little confused that I knew the right answers for things...things she was about to advise on in the same way.

My favourite part of the session had to be when we were discussing "mini goals and rewards".  Nana's suggestion was going to the cinema. 

"A-ha!" Pipes up Jeremy (as in Kyle, as in could sooooo be on that show), "You know what going to the cinema means!"

<seeing a film? I think>

"POPCORN!" give Jeremy as his answer.

I mention, admittedly slightly sarcastically, that "You don't actually have to buy popcorn when you go to the cinema" only to be greeted with a very confused look from Jeremy and about half of the group. 

Apparently NOT buying crappy junk food hadn't even entered the minds of the younger members of the set...I cried a little inside...I like to think Nana was also crying on the inside too.

So anyway, the session meant I met a lovely bunch of older ladies who reminded me of my Mum, a very scary woman wearing FAR too much makeup (made Jordan's face look subtle) and a few others that are as yet not really impression worthy.  Although I learnt nothing new, I do have homework which includes doing the dreaded food diary (I ate a polo this morning, it's been noted).  My goals I set this week have already been met, now to sustain them.

Gutted that work is preventing me from heading to the gym tonight, but think I might get up and go tomorrow before we do the usual Saturday swim.

Shall no doubt bitch some more about Fat Club over the next six weeks...still, think I have my overall reward idea sorted...just need to check if the Meester minds as it'll require me being away overnight to see a show (nothing seedy!).

My Edinburgh Rant

Well, it was bound to happen…something was going to attempt to ruin my week in Edinburgh…and that something was CASTLE ROCK HOSTEL.

For the week we’d been in a very lovely apartment, however for my last night (the girls were staying two more nights) we had to move to the above mentioned hostel.

Now, I’ve used hostels for some years now. I’m a fully paid up member of the YHA, and I have hosted my annual Winter Ball in one of two splendid YHA venues for the last five years, and held treasure hunts at others, as well as ad hoc staying at hostels – so I’m quite used to them.

CASTLE ROCK HOSTEL (part of the Backpackers Hostel it should be noted, and NOT YHA) brought a whole new experience for me.

It actually started the day before. I called them to see what time check in was, to which I received a very curt response before they hung up. I didn’t even get to ask whether we could leave luggage with them.

I decided as I had an early train on the Saturday to take my case, packed with everything and anything I didn’t need on my person, down to left luggage at Waverley Station, thereby saving me the pain of taking it there at the ungodly hour I was getting there the next day.

Upon check in at the hostel, we were asked to sign into a book, putting in our name, address and either driver’s license number, passport number or NI number…none of which I had as they were in my case. The conversation that followed went something along these lines:

Me: I’m sorry, my driver’s license and passport are both in my case at Waverley Station and I don’t know my NI number.

Her: You could go to the station and get them.

Me:  Erm, no I couldn’t actually, sorry.

Her: But we need either your driver’s license number, passport number or NI number.

Me: If I don’t provide you with them am I not allowed to stay here?

Her: No you can still stay here. But you could still go to the station and get them.

Me: No I’ve already said I can’t. I have a show in just over an hour. Plus I’m not going all the way down to the station, pay to get my case out of left luggage to retrieve my license, to then have to put my case back into left luggage only to pay again tomorrow to get it back out.

Her: But we need the number. Every hostel needs this information before someone can stay.

Me: Actually that bollocks. I’m a YHA member and never have I been asked.

Her: Ah yes, but you give them your YHA number.

Me: True, but then, they tell us that we need to bring the YHA card.

Her: It was on the email…

Me: No it wasn’t.

Her: Well it’s on our website…

Me: I didn’t go on your website… (subsequent checking has proved it’s not on the website either btw)… What if I give you the last four digits of my debit card?

Her: You could put down all the long number.

Me: I’m not about to write down the 16 digits of a card linked to my bank when my name and address are right next to it…

Her: Work with me here…

Me: I’m trying. Look, why do you need the number?

Her: In case something happens to you whilst you are here. It’s so we can contact your bank or the DVLA and get your details so we can contact your next of kin. I don’t see the problem, most people have their passport on them when travelling.

Me: Well you can’t be given my details, data protection act stops people from giving you that, anyway you already have my home address. How about I write down my next of kin details? I’ll happily write down my husband’s number.

Her: That won’t work.

Me: How can that not work? You’ve said you needed the information so that you could get my next of kin details in case I die whilst here…I’m willing to just GIVE you my husband’s number…THAT’S my next of kin details right there.

Her: We still need a driver’s license number, passport number or NI number.

Me: <writes down husband’s number>

I mean seriously, WTF??? I so very nearly walked out. Can say I will NEVER use that hostel again. Bad form. You don’t talk to people like that. You certainly don’t talk to people who are paying for your service like that.

Turns out no sockets in the rooms (!?!), the bunk beds were little more than slabs of plywood with a mattress on (not comfortable), top bunk had no sides to stop you from rolling off and my mates report sightings of mice on the Saturday. Website, should you want to avoid them is http://castlerockedinburgh.com/

Show twelve...Morgan & West: Time Travelling Magicians

This was one of the shows I was most excited about seeing for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I LOVE magic, especially sleight of hand. Secondly, I love men in frock coats and waistcoats. This show was to give me both!

Now I may get this review out of order on the tricks front, my excitement really made writing my notes afterwards very difficult.

Photo from www.morganandwest.co.uk

Morgan & West, two rather spiffingly dressed chaps looking very handsome in their finery, completely held my attention for the time they were on stage…and I certainly wasn’t alone in that. They had very good comic timing and banter – obviously a good rapport between them.

 

Their magic was traditional, often with their own spin on it.

The “all seeing eye in the hand” trick was very Derren Brown (a compliment) and executed well. They also performed towards the end another DBesq trick relating to Harry Potter (but I forgive them for that) involving predicting which book, page and word would be chosen by a willing member of the audience.

West performed a spellbinding back and forth coin trick, which I’ve discovered is very hard to convey to others quite how it looked and how remarkable it was. I shall try again now, but please forgive me if it doesn’t quite sound as impressive as it should! Take the traditional appearing/disappearing coin trick…now let’s see the trick progress and then reverse…then progress more…and then reverse…and progress more etc until he performs the whole trick forwards and then backwards. I think I sat open mouthed throughout this whole trick. One question I meant to ask the gents was whether the red/blue light signifying travelling forwards or backwards was an intentional match to the time vortex colours when Doctor Who is travelling forwards or backwards in the T.A.R.D.I.S. – or am I just being a little too geeky and it’s pure coincidence?

Now my favourite trick is bound to be the one where I got to go on stage with West, whilst Morgan chose another woman. She had a green backed deck of cards, whereas mine was purple. We both chose and signed cards, before having them change into another card mere inches away from us (cue my impression of a guppie). It was then revealed that our cards were no longer in our packs but had made it over the other side of the stage and were in each other’s packs (cue bigger impression of a guppie). The cards were then brought back and were handed to us – I’m now keeping mine proudly in my purse.

Me and my West card

They ended the show with cup/ball tricks in the form of an old fashioned instructional film which was both striking and witty.

 

So what is my opinion of them? LOVE THEM!!! Part of me wishes I’d gone to see them earlier in the week so I could’ve justified seeing them again. I have, however decided that I want to be rich enough to have them as my own personal magicians…unless they ever need a “glamorous assistant” as I can pull off a corset quite nicely.

 

If you get the chance, either see them in Edinburgh, hire them for an event, or if they are performing anywhere else, buy that ticket! These gents WILL be well known before long!

http://www.morganandwest.co.uk/

Show eleven...Norman Lovett: LOL :)

This show was delivered at exactly the pace that any Red Dwarf fan would expect from this man. His dead pan face and voice make for an even paced show…some may say slow, but it never felt like it.

Photo from www.edfringe.com

 

Unfortunately for Norman, he was faced with a very loud and drunk local heckler, one who shouted out incoherently several times, left to get himself a pint, then left again for the loo, by which time most of the audience and I think Norman himself were hoping he wouldn’t return. Alas he did and sadly still insisted on butting in on the show. I don’t even think he realized that he was being very annoying to everyone who were enjoying the show.  However Norman dealt with him very well and in a manner only he could.

Anyhoo, the show involved Norman generally chatting whilst rifling through a bag of assorted items. A main theme through them was plastic bags (think “American Beauty”). Being shown the differences between thin white plastic, Subway bags, M&S bag, black bin liner, white bin liner and even a shower cap (doing a marvelous jellyfish skit). All the while Norman was just chatting about random things, all very amusing and having you wondering where things were going next.

For me the highlight, apart from kicking off Doctor Who war, was when he brought out an old fashioned wooden peg (the type you make proper peg dolls from). This, he stated, was a upper class peg…before bringing out a wooden “modern” peg, which was more “working class”. Cue an abstract conversation between the two pegs before the working class one attacked the posh peg. He then brought out two plastic “modern” pegs that were the chav pegs. For whatever reason this little section really tickled me.

So a very pleasant and funny show, ruined only a little by the pissed up twat but that was trumped by Barry Cryer being in the audience.

Ta-ra Edinburgh...

Well that's it...it's over.  Edinburgh is over for another year, only a few months until I start planning next year's trip!

I have several reviews still to type up, and other bits and pieces including what could be a most wonderful rant.

However this morning I amused myself by walking down a very empty Royal Mile before seven o'clock...amused because the last time I walked on it (last night) the Tattoo had just let out and the Royal Mile couldn't be seen for Argyle sweaters and anoraks.

Got to the station stupidly early, grabbed breakfast and waited patiently for the train.  Just on it until Newcastle where my parents and Baby Girl are meeting me (can't wait, haven't seen her in three weeks!).  Then we drive to Peterborough services to meet up with the meester and older girls, transfer cars before heading to Wisbech for the wedding of two friends of ours.  We were going to be camping overnight there but to be honest after a week on a sofa and one night in a hostel (more on the hostel in a later blog!), well, I want to sleep in my own bed next to my husband tonight.

We've just pulled into Alnmouth (for Alnwick don't you know!) so only half an hour until Newcastle.

In a nutshell, my week in Edinburgh has been fabulous, with only a couple of meh points.  Quite frankly there were far too many highs for the mehs to really affect it other than whilst they happened.

Words to sum up?  Peg-legged pirates, two messiahs - one false and one true, Pissed Priss, pole dancing Lee extended cabaret, cold late night, lovely flatmates, vomit, semi-naked Lee, marvellous magicians, most excellent facial hair, henna, vanilla vodka, drinks with friends...that'll do for now...

So ta-ra Edinburgh...catch you in about 12 months x

Shows, garlands and vomit

Well I find myself about 36 hours away from leaving Edinburgh, and I am knackered and happy, with still a writing workshop and some shows left to go!  Those who have been following the reviews will see that I've been to one or two shows since leaving Pissed Priss at Waverley station.

Somehow the weather has stayed pretty much unbelievably good - with nothing more than the occasion shower!

Monday found me having quite a bit of a lie in due to the late night, however soon enough I was off down to the National Gallery for The Impressionist Gardens.  On the way I succeeded in finding these hair garlands everyone has been wearing - all three of us had wanted one too - so purchased three and continued to the gallery.  Post exhibition I returned to the flat and basically did not very much except have a soak in the bath and fall asleep.

Tuesday was another day filled with shows and much walking, getting accidentally merry in the afternoon after seeing The Sweeney.  I ended up boring the pants off a family for about an hour - well, I thought we were all having a nice chat, but upon coming out of the ladies loos I saw the dad, daughter & fiance with the dad being very unsubtle in his "shushing", eyes fixed on me and head indicating...hmmmm, not sure what I said that offended and it's not like I held them at the next table against their will. :rolleyes:  They girls rolled in rather late and shall we say somewhere around half past pissed o'clock?

Wednesday morning started with a bit of a surprise...and not a good surprise...

Early up & the usual morning bathroom visit, only to be faced with a sink almost over-flowing with vomit.  I'm sure I need not describe the sight and smell.  As you can imagine, it's not a sight that is a pleasing one.  

I went into Mum mode temporarily...I looked at the clock - 0856 - hmmmm, so very tempted to drag the two unconscious girls from their bed to discover who was responsible...but then I thought "hell, we've all been there, I'll give them more time before they (whichever responsible) can clear it all up".  By lunchtime they were alive...sadly no hangovers (how is THAT even fair??)...and the younger of the girls, for it was she who had mixed far too many of the wine and vodka varieties, set to work attempting to return the bathroom to normal.

Has to be said, she'd obviously done a good job of being rather ill as she still needs to hunt for some sink and drain unblocker...

Show ten...Ardal O'Hanlon

Let me start straight off with an audience observation...unlikeliest audience member for an Ardal O'Hanlon show (IMO) was a shaved headed chap...all except for a circle of hair right at the back that had been grown very long and French plaited...just didn't scream "Father Ted/My Hero" fan.

Photo from www.edfringe.com

Ardal was exactly as I imagined he would be, ie every sense of the words lovely, sweet & funny.  What he gave was a thoroughly enjoyable show.  There were lots of laughs throughout the whole thing, the occasional big hearty laugh, but generally a good level.

He came out on stage to a huge round of applause & cheers, playing up to it saying it made him feel all worthy so could be possibly have just one more? (which was duly given).  About two minutes later two later comers arrived and he informed them they were to do their part re cheering...which they eventually did.  Ardal then told them we'd also made a bear noise for him, and could they make a bear noise too?  Bless the chap from the couple if he didn't make the tiniest bear noise ever!

Various highlights for me.  Discussing his horny pregnant wife looking like an Easter egg in her dress with a big bow on it, who would then get distracted by a sudden need for food before crying - ah I remember those days.  Discussing his eco-daughter and Alvin/Beelzebub son.

Ardal proceeded to call the Pope a liar, demanding that he resign as should various high ranking Priests...and that God should also consider his position because "he really had to know what was going on".  Possibly the childishly funniest line has to be about the Pope hiding priests under his cassock...and "which is basically an anagram of cock and ass and we all know that anagrams don't lie!"

So overall the show was lovely, glad I've seen him.  If you haven't seen him and are a fan of the shows he's been on, then he's worth going to see...but possibly only the once.

Oh...and he's starting to look very like Greg Kinnear...

Show nine...The Rupert Pupkin Collective...again

To be honest I could go and see these gents every day and not be bored, and at this show we were treated to a special guest as Dave Johns had to head home early. Joining Steve Steen, Stephen Frost, Andy Smart and Ian Coppingger was Aussie comedian Adam Hills.

Photos from www.edfringe.com

An early game called film and theatre styles provided the most shocking, loudest and longest laughs...set in a coal mine, Ian and Adam were on stage and the film style "pirate movie" was suggested. Cue Ian doing a lot of argh argh aaaaaaaaaargh argh argh aaaaaaaaargh aaaaaaarghs...Adam just stood there before saying "sod it", lifted up his right trouser leg and unbuckled his false leg to reveal a very convincing pirate peg leg...the lengths some comedians will go to for laughs never ceases to amaze me! hehehe

It would also appear that there were quite a few audience members didn't know about Adam's leg...I can only imagine just how shocked they must've been.

Anyway the whole audience were laughing and laughing and laughing...it was very hard to stop...Frosty even suggested we took a break for a few minutes for people to collect themselves.

In the game "Meanwhile" were many funny moments. Opening with a casino scene played out in pigeon French, Ian interrupted asking "ou est la bibliotheque?"...a theme that ran through various other scenes.  The Irish dancing class was a stroke of genius, especially with Ian getting Frosty to perform the "kick a Brit in the face" move...performed obviously on the Aussie.  Another one that tickled me was In the Playground where Andy was jumping around stating "I'm being Spiderman"

The last game was once again a dubbed Sherlock Holmes case, this time the Case of the Missing Sausage.  Lots of cheap sausage gags...we likes cheap sausage gags.

Sadly this was the Pupkins last show this EdFest. So very pleased I came back and saw them - well done to Adam for jumping in there, he did well :)

Show eight...The Sweeney - The Life and Times of Jim Sweeney

I missed the first (IIRC) showing of this at The Comedy Store in London back in December last year due to having pneumonia, and very nearly missed this show due to a lost booking until a very kind chap helped me out, something I am very grateful for.

Photo from www.edfringe.com

A packed out room full of people wanting to see this documentary Jim made was buzzing with anticipation.

The screen flickered into life to see Jim, hunched over in his chair, slow drawn out speech, looking like a very frail man, introducing his documentary...half the audience begin to laugh, much to the shock from the other half...I know the chap next to me tutted in my direction...until Jim sits up straight and asks "Too much?" - queue belly laughs from the whole audience.

For those not in the know, Jim has MS.  But that's not really important...the fact that he is an impro god and very talented man is the important bit.

The documentary is Jim talking to Lee Simpson in his garden, recounting many tales of his life, often split in with other comedians and people from Jim's life telling their version of the same story...sometimes those sides even agree!  Among those featured were all the rest of the CSPs (Lee (not just as interviewer), Neil Mullarkey, Josie Lawrence, Andy Smart, Richard Vranch and Paul Merton), Steve Steen, Steve Frost, Suki Webster, Mike McShane, Eddie Izzard, Greg Proops, Barbara, Dom, Mark and the lovely Jools from The Store and many others.

We are treated to wonderful archived (oh that sounds so wrong - makes Jim sound ancient, which he's not!) tv footage (although no breeches from Blackadder III - forgive as we do get to see him in S&M get up doing a tango) and photos.  These photos take us through an impressive amount of curly hair...I like to think that Jim donated his hair time and time again and somewhere in the world, probably Liverpool, are a lot of very curly Sweeney wigs.

The entire room is filled with huge belly laughs...you know the type I mean, the ones that give you a stitch whilst also giving your abs a damn fine work out, and you feel a little bit tired afterwards.

Throughout there have been clips of Jim's last show at The Store...this is the place where I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform 2-300 times...I can't even be sure it's only that many...but sadly I couldn't make his final show.  I'll admit I welled up at his little goodbye speech, actually it was when he said the word "goodbye" rather than anything else.  I miss seeing Jim perform.  I miss him owning the whole room.  Miss him having us all hanging on his every word before creasing up...I hold him personally responsible for me choking on drinks on more than one occasion (I soon learnt not to take sips if he was on stage!).

Anyhoo, I digress and he'd hate me gushing about him, so will just state that the above is bollocks, he's completely average and I don't miss him at all - there, that should balance it up a bit.

The proceeds from the screening is going to the Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre. Richard and Mike were outside with collection boxes too.  

Should you want to see the film yourself, you can pre-order it on dvd (I already have a while ago!) from Jim's website (and also see a clip) http://www.thesweeney.net/ - I urge you to do this, as again, all profits from sales also go to th Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre...which means you get to do something nice for charity and get to have a laugh whilst doing so!

I shall leave you with a photograph I took of Jim at my first ever EdFest in 2004 - I love this photo :-)